Cosmetic Injectable Treatments in Skin of Colour
Abstract
The patient population seeking aesthetic procedures is becoming increasingly more diverse. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, there has been a 50% increase in people of colour (POC) undergoing minimally invasive cosmetic treatments over the last decade. This is likely due to the increasing awareness, acceptance, and availability of aesthetic procedures, as well as demographic shifts. It is estimated that more than 20% of Canadians are POC. In addition, POC account for an increasing share in the national population: it is projected that POC will account for 33% of Canada’s population by 2036.
As the racial and ethnic diversity of cosmetic patients increases, it is imperative for dermatologists to understand functional and anatomical differences, aesthetic preferences, and necessary adaptations in cosmetic techniques for this patient population. This article aims to review some of the literature for POC cosmetic treatments, provide clinical pearls, and review an approach to patient care.
This paper defines POC as darker skin individuals with a range of Fitzpatrick phototypes IV to VI; this definition encompasses but is not limited to various races including Asians, African Americans, Latinos, and Indigenous people.
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